(1) The osteopathic practitioner who has been investigated by the board may accept board referral into the approved substance abuse monitoring program. This may occur as a result of disciplinary action.
(a) The osteopathic practitioner shall undergo a complete physical and psychosocial evaluation before entering the approved monitoring program. This evaluation is to be performed by a health care professional(s) with expertise in chemical dependency. The person(s) performing the evaluation shall not be the provider of the recommended treatment.
(b) The osteopathic practitioner shall enter into a contract with the board and the approved substance abuse monitoring program to comply with the requirements of the program which shall include, but not be limited to:
(i) The osteopathic practitioner will undergo intensive substance abuse treatment in an approved treatment facility.
(ii) The osteopathic practitioner shall agree to abstain from the use of all mind-altering substances, including alcohol, except for medications prescribed by an authorized prescriber, as defined in RCW
69.41.030 and
69.50.101. Said prescriber shall notify the monitoring program of all drugs prescribed within fourteen days of the date care was provided.
(iii) The osteopathic practitioner must complete the prescribed aftercare program of the intensive treatment facility. This may include individual and/or group psychotherapy.
(iv) The osteopathic practitioner must cause the treatment counselor(s) and authorized prescriber(s) to provide reports to the appropriate monitoring program at specified intervals. Reports shall include treatment prognosis, goals, drugs prescribed, etc.
(v) The osteopathic practitioner shall submit to random drug screening, with observed specimen collection, as specified by the approved monitoring program.
(vi) The osteopathic practitioner shall attend osteopathic practitioner support groups facilitated by health care professionals and/or twelve-step group meetings as specified by the contract.
(vii) The osteopathic practitioner shall comply with specified employment conditions and restrictions as defined by the contract.
(viii) The osteopathic practitioner shall sign a waiver allowing the approved monitoring program to release information to the board if the osteopathic practitioner does not comply with the requirements of the contract.
(c) The osteopathic practitioner is responsible for paying the costs of the physical and psychosocial evaluation, substance abuse treatment, random urine screens, and other personal expenses incurred in compliance with the contract.
(d) The osteopathic practitioner may be subject to disciplinary action under RCW
18.130.160 and
18.130.180 if the osteopathic practitioner does not consent to be referred to the approved monitoring program, does not comply with specified practice restrictions, or does not successfully complete the program.
(2) An osteopathic practitioner who is not being investigated by the board or subject to current disciplinary action, not currently being monitored by the board for substance abuse, may voluntarily participate in the approved substance abuse monitoring program without being referred by the board. Such voluntary participants shall not be subject to disciplinary action under RCW
18.130.160 and
18.130.180 for their substance abuse, and shall not have their participation made known to the board if they continue to satisfactorily meet the requirements of the approved monitoring program:
(a) The osteopathic practitioner shall undergo a complete physical and psychosocial evaluation before entering the approved monitoring program. This evaluation will be performed by a health care professional with expertise in chemical dependency. The person(s) performing the evaluation shall not also be the provider of the recommended treatment.
(b) The osteopathic practitioner shall enter into a contract with the approved substance abuse monitoring program to comply with the requirements of the program which shall include, but not be limited to:
(i) The osteopathic practitioner will undergo intensive substance abuse treatment in an approved treatment facility.
(ii) The osteopathic practitioner will agree to abstain from the use of all mind-altering substances, including alcohol, except for medications prescribed by an authorized prescriber, as defined in RCW
69.41.030 and
69.50.101. Said prescriber shall notify the monitoring program of all drugs prescribed within fourteen days of the date care was provided.
(iii) The osteopathic practitioner must complete the prescribed aftercare program of the intensive treatment facility. This may include individual and/or group psychotherapy.
(iv) The osteopathic practitioner must cause the treatment counselor(s) and authorized prescriber(s) to provide reports to the approved monitoring program at specified intervals. Reports shall include treatment prognosis, goals, drugs prescribed, etc.
(v) The osteopathic practitioner shall submit to random drug screening, with observed specimen collection, as specified by the approved monitoring program.
(vi) The osteopathic practitioner will attend practitioner support groups facilitated by a health care professional and/or twelve-step group meetings as specified by the individual's contract.
(vii) The osteopathic practitioner will comply with specified employment conditions and restrictions as defined by the contract.
(viii) The osteopathic practitioner shall sign a waiver allowing the approved monitoring program to release information to the board if the osteopathic practitioner does not comply with the requirements of the contract. The osteopathic practitioner may be subject to disciplinary action under RCW
18.130.160 and
18.130.180 for noncompliance with the contract or if he/she does not successfully complete the program.
(c) The osteopathic practitioner is responsible for paying the costs of the physical and psychosocial evaluation, substance abuse treatment, random urine screens, and other personal expenses incurred in compliance with the contract.